Short-range wireless communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

An onboard apparatus uses two modes to transfer audio data from a mobile phone. A first mode transfers and outputs audio data stored in the mobile phone. The first mode communicates control data according to a control data transfer protocol and transfers and outputs audio data according to an audio data transfer protocol. The second mode permits the mobile phone to successively buffer audio data stored in a server on a communication network and to concurrently transfer and output the buffered data. The second mode replaces the control data transfer protocol with a specific data communication protocol. The second mode communicates control data according to the specific data communication protocol and transfers and outputs audio data according to the audio data transfer protocol. The second mode can communicate any commands and data using the specific data communication protocol regardless of commands specified in the control data transfer protocol.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/128,885 filed on Dec. 23, 2013 which is a 371 national phaseof PCT/JP2012/003688, filed on Jun. 6, 2012, which is based on JapanesePatent Application No. 2011-145781 filed on Jun. 30, 2011 and JapanesePatent Application No. 2012-115621 filed on May 21, 2012, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a short-range wireless communicationapparatus having a connection portion capable of connecting an audiodata transfer protocol specifying audio data transfer, a control datatransfer protocol specifying transfer of control data related to audiodata control, and a specific data communication protocol specifying datacommunication with a communication partner apparatus using a short-rangewireless link.

BACKGROUND ART

The short-range wireless communication apparatus includes a short-rangewireless communication function and connects a short-range wireless linkwith a communication partner apparatus such as a mobile phone. Theshort-range wireless communication apparatus connects the audio datatransfer protocol and the control data transfer protocol with thecommunication partner apparatus. The audio data transfer protocolspecifies transfer of audio data such as music data. The control datatransfer protocol specifies transfer of control data concerning audiodata control. The short-range wireless communication apparatuscommunicates control data (e.g. tune names and various commands such asa replay command, a pause command, and a stop command) with thecommunication partner apparatus according to the control data transferprotocol. The short-range wireless communication apparatus permits thecommunication partner apparatus to transfer audio data according to theaudio data transfer protocol. As disclosed in Patent Literature 1, forexample, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication standardsspecify A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) as an audio datatransfer protocol to regulate audio data transfer and AVRCP (Audio/VideoRemote Control Profile) as a control data transfer protocol to regulatetransfer of control data concerning the audio data control.

PRIOR ART LITERATURES Patent Literature

[Patent Literature 1] JP 2008-273370 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The short-range wireless communication apparatus permits thecommunication partner apparatus to transfer and output audio data in twoavailable modes. A first mode permits the communication partnerapparatus to transfer and output audio data stored in a nonvolatilestorage portion of the communication partner apparatus. The second modepermits the communication partner apparatus to successively buffer audiodata stored in a communication network server and transfer and outputthe buffered data from the communication partner apparatus (e.g., audiodata streaming from so-called Internet radio).

As described above, the first mode connects A2DP as the audio datatransfer protocol and AVRCP as the control data transfer protocol andcommunicates control data with the communication partner apparatusaccording to AVRCP. This enables the communication partner apparatus toreliably transfer and output audio data stored in the communicationpartner apparatus. However, the second mode cannot satisfactorilyprovide functions (services) for the communication partner apparatus totransfer and output audio data stored in a communication network servereven if A2DP is connected as the audio data transfer protocol and AVRCPis connected as the control data transfer protocol.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the foregoing.It is, therefore, an object of the present disclosure to provide ashort-range wireless communication apparatus capable of appropriatelyenabling not only a function to permit a communication partner apparatusto transfer and output audio data stored in the communication partnerapparatus, but also a function to permit the communication partnerapparatus to transfer and output audio data stored in a communicationnetwork server.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus is provided as follows. A connection portion iscapable of connecting an audio data transfer protocol, a control datatransfer protocol, and a specific data communication protocol to acommunication partner apparatus via a short-range wireless link, whereinthe audio data transfer protocol specifies transfer of audio data, thecontrol data transfer protocol specifies transfer of control dataconcerning audio data control, and the specific data communicationprotocol specifies data communication. A control portion is to selecteither a first mode or a second mode, wherein the first mode permits thecommunication partner apparatus to transfer first audio data stored in anonvolatile storage portion of the communication partner apparatus andthe second mode permits the communication partner apparatus to transfersecond audio data stored in a nonvolatile storage portion of a server ona communication network. An audio data output portion is to output audiodata transferred from the communication partner apparatus according tothe audio data transfer protocol.

Herein, when determining that the first mode is selected, in a statewhere the control portion keeps the control data transfer protocol andthe audio data transfer protocol connected to the communication partnerapparatus, the control portion communicates first control dataconcerning control of the first audio data with the communicationpartner apparatus according to the control data transfer protocol, andpermits the communication partner apparatus to transfer the first audiodata according to the audio data transfer protocol. In contrast, whendetermining that the second mode is selected, in a state where thecontrol portion keeps the audio data transfer protocol and the specificdata communication protocol connected to the communication partnerapparatus, the control portion communicates second control dataconcerning control of the second audio data with the communicationpartner apparatus according to the specific data communication protocol,and permits the communication partner apparatus to transfer the secondaudio data according to the audio data transfer protocol.

There may be a case of unsatisfactorily providing the function to permitthe communication partner apparatus to transfer and output second audiodata stored in the communication network server. In such a case, thecontrol data transfer protocol may be replaced by the specific datacommunication protocol. Instead of a control data communicationprotocol, the specific data communication protocol is used tocommunicate second control data with the communication partnerapparatus. This enables the communication partner apparatus to transferand output the second audio data stored in the communication networkserver. As a result, it is possible to appropriately provide not only afunction to permit the communication partner apparatus to transfer andoutput audio data stored in the communication partner apparatus, butalso a function to permit the communication partner apparatus totransfer and output audio data stored in the communication networkserver. The communication signifies at least one of data transmissionand data reception.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thedrawings:

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by an onboardapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram;

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram;

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram;

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram;

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram; and

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram.

EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the following describes anembodiment that applies the present disclosure to a Bluetooth-compliantonboard apparatus (hereinafter referred to simply as an onboardapparatus) having the Bluetooth communication function. Bluetooth is aregistered trademark and is hereinafter abbreviated to BT. The followingdescribes a case where a BT-compatible mobile phone (hereinafterreferred to simply as a mobile phone) having the BT communicationfunction is brought into a vehicle compartment of a vehicle mounted withthe onboard apparatus and BT communication is available between theonboard apparatus and the mobile phone. The communication signifies datatransmission and/or data reception.

A BT communication system 1 includes an onboard apparatus 2 (referred toas a short-range wireless communication apparatus) mounted on a vehicleand a mobile phone 3 (also referred to as a communication partnerapparatus) brought into a vehicle compartment. The onboard apparatus 2includes a control portion 4 (also referred to as a control device or acontrol means), a BT module 5 (also referred to as a connection portion,a connection device, or a connection means), a USB (Universal SerialBus) module 6, nonvolatile storage portion 7 (also referred to as astorage device or a storage means), a volatile storage portion 8, avoice processing portion 9, a display control portion 10, a manipulationinput portion 11, and a signal input portion 12. The control portion 4,the USB module 6, the nonvolatile storage portion 7, the voiceprocessing portion 9, the display control portion 10, the manipulationinput portion 11, and the signal input portion 12 are physically mountedon a control substrate 13. The BT module 5 is physically mounted on a BTmodule substrate 14 that is a member different from the controlsubstrate 13. The control portion 4 and the BT module 5 are connectedthrough a USB.

The control portion 4 includes a known microcomputer that contains aCPU, RAM, ROM, and an I/O bus. The control portion 4 controls overalloperations such as communication operations of the onboard apparatus 2and data management operations. The BT module 5 connects a BT link (alsoreferred to as a short-range wireless link) to a BT module of the mobilephone 3 (to be described) and performs BT communication through the BTlink. The BT module 5 is capable of simultaneously connect (so-calledmulti-connection) multiple profiles such as HFP (Hands Free Profile),A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), AVRCP (Audio/Video RemoteControl Profile), SPP (Serial Port Profile), DUN (Dial-up NetworkingProfile), MAP (Message Access Profile), PBAP (Phone Book AccessProfile), and OPP (Object Push Profile) compliant to the BTcommunication standards. HFP is also referred to as a handsfreecommunication protocol and specifies the handsfree communication. A2DPis also referred to as an audio data transfer protocol and specifiesaudio data transfer. AVRCP is also referred to as a control datatransfer protocol and specifies transfer of control data concerningaudio data control. SPP is also referred to as a specific datacommunication protocol and specifies data communication assumed to be avirtual serial port. DUN specifies dial-up connection to the Internet.MAP specifies transfer of e-mail data. PBAP specifies transfer of phonebook data. OPP also specifies transfer of phone book data. HFP, A2DP,AVRCP, SPP, DUN, MAP, PBAP, and OPP signify data communication protocolsdefined for the respective functions.

The USB module 6 includes a connection terminal 6 a that can beconnected to or disconnected from a connection terminal 15 a of a USBconnection cable 15. The connection terminal 15 a of the USB connectioncable 15 is connected to the connection terminal 6 a. A connectionterminal 15 b of the USB connection cable 15 is connected to aconnection terminal of a USB module in the mobile phone 3 (to bedescribed). The USB module 6 connects a USB link as a communication linkto the USB module of the mobile phone 3 and provides USB communicationusing the USB link.

The nonvolatile storage portion 7 includes a storage portion areacapable of storing various data. When the BT module 5 connects MAP tothe BT module of the mobile phone 3, the nonvolatile storage portion 7stores e-mail data transferred from the mobile phone 3 to the BT module5. The e-mail data includes sender information, reception time and dateinformation, type information, and subject information. The senderinformation can identify an e-mail sender. The reception time and dateinformation can identify the time and date when e-mail was received onthe mobile phone 3. The type information can identify an e-mail type.The subject information can identify an e-mail subject entered by thesender, for example. When the BT module 5 connects PBAP to the BT moduleof the mobile phone 3, the nonvolatile storage portion 7 stores phonebook data, call origination history data, and call termination historydata. The phone book data is transferred from the mobile phone 3 to theBT module 5. The call origination history data shows the correspondencebetween call originating times and call originating phone numbersconcerning call origination operations from the onboard apparatus 2 orthe mobile phone 3 connecting HFP with the onboard apparatus 2. The calltermination history data shows the correspondence between callterminating times and call terminating phone numbers concerning calltermination operations on the mobile phone 3 connecting HFP with theonboard apparatus 2. Immediately before the apparatus power turns off,the nonvolatile storage portion 7 stores information (also referred toas pre-power-off mode) indicating audio data transferred from the mobilephone 3. The volatile storage portion 8 includes a storage portion areacapable of storing, while buffering, audio data streamed from the mobilephone 3.

The voice processing portion 9 connects with a microphone 16 that isprovided in a vehicle compartment and is placed near a steering wheel,for example, or at a position easily collecting the voice uttered from auser. The voice processing portion 9 also connects with an audioamplifier 17 provided outside the onboard apparatus 2.

The audio amplifier 17 connects with speakers 18 a and 18 b (alsoreferred to as an audio data output portion, an audio data outputdevice, or an audio data output means).

Suppose that the BT module 5 connects HFP to the BT module of the mobilephone 3 (to be described). In such a case, the voice processing portion9 is supplied with the voice uttered from the user as transmission voicedata from the microphone 16 and processes the supplied transmissionvoice data and outputs it to the BT module 5. The voice processingportion 9 is supplied with reception voice data from the BT module 5 andoutputs the supplied reception voice data to the audio amplifier 17.

Suppose that the BT module 5 connects A2DP and AVRCP to the BT module ofthe mobile phone 3 (to be described). In such a case, audio data istransferred to the BT module 5 from the BT module of the mobile phone 3according to the A2DP and AVRCP. The voice processing portion 9 outputsthe audio data to the audio amplifier 17. Suppose that the USBcommunication is available between the USB module 6 and a USB module ofthe mobile phone 3 (to be described). In such a case, Audio data istransferred to the USB module 6 from the USB module of the mobile phone3 according to the USB link. The voice processing portion 9 outputs theaudio data to the audio amplifier 17.

The audio amplifier 17 is supplied with reception voice data or audiodata from the voice processing portion 9, amplifies the suppliedreception voice data or audio data, and permits the speakers 18 a and 18b to output the amplified reception voice data or audio data. The audioamplifier 17 also connects with a tuner deck 19. For example, the tunerdeck 19 reproduces music data from a music recording medium and suppliesthe music data to the audio amplifier 17. The audio amplifier 17amplifies the supplied music data and permits the speakers 18 a and 18 bto output the amplified music data.

A display apparatus 20 includes a display unit 21 and a manipulationunit 22 on the screen. The display unit 21 displays various displayscreens (also referred to as windows). The manipulation unit 22 providesa touch switch on the display screen. When supplied with a displayinstruction signal from the control portion 4, the display controlportion 10 controls display operations of the display unit 21 in thedisplay apparatus 20 based on the supplied display instruction signal.When a user manipulates a touch switch formed on the display screen, themanipulation input portion 11 is then supplied with a manipulationdetection signal from the manipulation unit 22. The manipulation inputportion 11 outputs the supplied manipulation detection signal to thecontrol portion 4. The control portion 4 analyzes the manipulationdetection signal supplied from the manipulation input portion 11 toidentify the user manipulation.

The signal input portion 12 is connected to an accessory (ACC) switchmounted on the vehicle. When supplied with an ACC signal output from theACC switch, the signal input portion 12 outputs the supplied ACC signalto the control portion 4. The control portion 4 turns on or off theapparatus based on the ACC signal supplied from the signal input portion12. That is, the control portion 4 turns on the apparatus (to start theonboard apparatus 2) when the ACC signal changes from off to on. Thecontrol portion 4 turns off the apparatus (to stop the onboard apparatus2) when the ACC signal changes from on to off. To turn off theapparatus, the control portion 4 permits the nonvolatile storage portion7 to store the type of audio data transferred from the mobile phone 3immediately before the apparatus is turned off.

The mobile phone 3 includes a control portion 23, a phone communicationportion 24, a BT module 25, a USB module 26, a key input portion 27, anonvolatile storage portion 28 (also referred to as a nonvolatilestorage portion of the communication partner apparatus), a volatilestorage portion 29, a display portion 30, a microphone 31, a speaker 32,and a power supply portion 33.

The control portion 43 includes a known microcomputer that contains aCPU, RAM, ROM, and an I/O bus. The control portion 43 controls overalloperations such as communication operations of the mobile phone 3 anddata management operations. The phone communication portion 24 providesphone communication with a communication network 35. The communicationnetwork 35 includes a mobile phone base station, a base station controlportion, and other facilities that provide known mobile phonecommunication services. The BT module 25 connects a BT link to the BTmodule 5 of the above-mentioned onboard apparatus 2 and performs BTcommunication through the BT link. The BT module 25 is capable ofsimultaneously connecting multiple profiles compliant to the BTcommunication standards such as HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, SPP, DUN, MAP, PBAP,and OPP.

The USB module 26 includes a connection terminal 26 a that can beconnected to or disconnected from a connection terminal 15 b of the USBconnection cable 15. The connection terminal 15 a of the USB connectioncable 15 is connected to the connection terminal 6 a of the USB module 6of the onboard apparatus 2. The connection terminal 15 b of the USBconnection cable 15 is connected to the connection terminal 26 a. TheUSB module 26 connects a USB link to the USB module 6 in the onboardapparatus 2 and provides USB communication using the USB link.

The key input portion 27 includes various keys manipulated by a user.The key input portion 27 outputs a manipulation detection signal to thecontrol portion 43 in response to a key manipulated by the user. Thecontrol portion 43 analyzes the manipulation detection signal suppliedfrom the key input portion 27 to identify the user manipulation.

The nonvolatile storage portion 28 includes a storage portion areacapable of storing various data such as audio data. The volatile storageportion 29 includes a storage portion area capable of storing, whilebuffering, audio data streamed from a server 36 on the communicationnetwork 35. When supplied with a display instruction signal from thecontrol portion 43, the display portion 30 displays various displayscreens based on the supplied display instruction signal. The controlportion 43 is supplied with the voice uttered from the user astransmission voice data from the microphone 31 and processes thesupplied transmission voice data. The control portion 43 is suppliedwith reception voice data from the phone communication portion 24 andoutputs the supplied reception voice data as the voice from the speaker32. The power supply portion 33 supplies the functional blocks with thepower as the operating power discharged from a battery 34 that can beattached to or detached from the apparatus body.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, the control portion 4 inthe onboard apparatus 2 outputs audio data transferred from the mobilephone 3 in two modes as follows. One mode is also referred to as firstmode for BT audio. In this mode, the onboard apparatus 2 permits the BTmodule 25 to transfer audio data such as music data (also referred to asfirst audio data) stored in the nonvolatile storage portion 28 of themobile phone 3 to the BT module 5 and outputs the audio data from thespeakers 18 a and 18 b of the onboard apparatus 2. The other mode isalso referred to as second mode. In this mode, the onboard apparatus 2permits the volatile storage portion 29 of the mobile phone 3 tosuccessively buffer audio data (also referred to as second audio data)stored in the nonvolatile storage portion of the server 36 on thecommunication network 35. At the same time, the onboard apparatus 2permits the BT module 25 to transfer the buffered audio data to the BTmodule 5. The onboard apparatus 2 permits the volatile storage portion 8to successively buffer the audio data in the volatile storage portion 8and concurrently outputs the buffered audio data from the speakers 18 aand 18 b. An example of the second mode is to output audio data for theInternet radio (to distribute the contents of an audio program accordingto Internet protocols).

In the first mode, the onboard apparatus 2 permits the BT module 25 totransfer audio data stored in the mobile phone 3. The onboard apparatus2 can transfer the audio data using A2DP and use AVRCP to communicateAVRCP-compliant control commands (such as replay command, pause command,and stop command). The user can manage various controls concerning audiodata. In the second mode, however, the onboard apparatus 2 permits thevolatile storage portion 29 of the mobile phone 3 to successively bufferaudio data stored in the server 36 on the communication network 35 andconcurrently permits the BT module 25 to transfer the buffered audiodata. The onboard apparatus 2 cannot sufficiently communicateAVRCP-compliant control commands using AVRCP. The user cannot managevarious controls concerning audio data.

The mobile phone 3 works as a communication partner of the onboardapparatus 2 and is capable of two types of behavior to transmit AVRCP(and A2DP) connection requests as described below. The inventors foundthat the mobile phone 3 can be broadly classified into the typesaccording to specifications and that the type can be identified as ageneral model or a specific model. These findings are based on resultsof connection tests on diverse types of the mobile phone 3.

(a) general model that does not transmit an AVRCP connection request tothe onboard apparatus 2 after completion of an HFP connection process

(b) specific model that transmits an AVRCP connection request to theonboard apparatus 2 after completion of an HFP connection process

When completing an HFP connection process, the onboard apparatus 2receives an AVRCP connection request from the specific-type mobile phone3 as a communication partner. At this time, the onboard apparatus 2disallows any connection request from the communication partner. Theonboard apparatus 2 rejects the AVRCP connection request if receivedfrom the specific-type mobile phone 3. The onboard apparatus 2 transmitsAVRCP connection rejection to the specific-type mobile phone 3. Supposethat the onboard apparatus 2 transmits AVRCP connection rejection to thespecific-type mobile phone 3. In this case, the mobile phone 3 does nottransmit the A2DP connection request to the onboard apparatus 2 even ifthe onboard apparatus 2 transmits a new AVRCP connection request to thespecific-type mobile phone 3 to complete the AVRCP connection processafter that. In addition, the mobile phone 3 does not transmit the A2DPconnection request to the onboard apparatus 2 even if the onboardapparatus 2 instructs output of audio data (Internet radio or BT audio)after that. As a result, the speakers 18 a and 18 b of the onboardapparatus 2 does not output audio data, but the speaker 32 of the mobilephone 3 outputs audio data instead.

After researching the cause of the defect, we found that the mobilephone 3 does not transmit an A2DP connection request even aftercompletion of the AVRCP connection process if the time exceeds aspecified period (e.g., three seconds) between completion of the HFPconnection process and transmission of an AVRCP connection request. Thismay be supposed to be caused by the onboard apparatus 2 having rejectedan AVRCP connection request from the mobile phone 3 more than oncewithin a specified time period after completion of the HFP connectionprocess. As a result of testing connections with some specific models,we observed the above-mentioned phenomenon when the onboard apparatus 2transmits an AVRCP connection request approximately three seconds orlonger later than completion of the HFP connection process.

On the other hand, the onboard apparatus 2 receives no AVRCP connectionrequest from the general-type mobile phone 3 as a communication partnerwhen the HFP connection process is completed. The onboard apparatus 2transmits an AVRCP connection request to the mobile phone 3. When theAVRCP connection process is complete, the mobile phone 3 transmits anA2DP connection request to the onboard apparatus 2. The onboardapparatus 2 permits the A2DP connection request to complete the A2DPconnection process. No A2DP connection request may be transmitted whenthe AVRCP connection process is complete. In such a case, the mobilephone 3 transmits an A2DP connection request to the onboard apparatus 2when the onboard apparatus 2 instructs audio data output. The onboardapparatus 2 permits the A2DP connection request to complete the A2DPconnection process. The audio data is transferred according to A2DP andis output from the speakers 18 a and 18 b of the onboard apparatus 2.Therefore, audio data is transferred according to A2DP regardless of atime period between completion of the HFP connection process andtransmission of an AVRCP connection request.

With reference to FIGS. 2 through 11, the following describes operationsof the above-mentioned configuration. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustratinga process performed by the control portion 4 of the onboard apparatus 2.FIGS. 3 through 11 are sequence diagrams illustrating processes of theonboard apparatus 2 and the communication partner apparatus.

It is noted that a flowchart or the processing of the flowchart in thepresent application includes sections (also referred to as steps), eachof which is represented, for instance, as S1. Further, each section canbe divided into several sub-sections while several sections can becombined into a single section. Furthermore, each of thus configuredsections can be also referred to as a device, module, or means.

Each or any combination of sections explained in the above can beachieved as (i) a software section in combination with a hardware unit(e.g., computer) or (ii) a hardware section, including or not includinga function of a related apparatus; furthermore, the hardware section maybe constructed inside of a microcomputer.

Furthermore, the software section may be included in a software program,which may be contained in a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia as a program product.

In the onboard apparatus 2, the control portion 4 performs the mainprocess while an apparatus power supply of the onboard apparatus 2 turnson (i.e., the ACC switch turns on). The control portion 4 performs aprofile connection process as a sub-process in the main processimmediately after the apparatus power supply turns on.

The control portion 4 transitions from the main process to the profileconnection process. When the profile connection process starts, thecontrol portion 4 determines, based on identification information aboutthe mobile phone 3, whether the mobile phone 3 as a communicationpartner corresponds to the general model or the specific model (S1). Forexample, the identification information (e.g., an identification codecapable of specifying the manufacturer or the model) is notified fromthe BT module 25 when the BT link is connected. Specifically, thecontrol portion 4 permits the nonvolatile storage portion 7 topreviously store the identification information about the mobile phone 3corresponding to the specific model based on connection tests on themobile phone 3. The control portion 4 compares the identificationinformation notified from the mobile phone 3 as a communication partnerwith the identification information stored in the nonvolatile storageportion 7. In this manner, the control portion 4 determines whether themobile phone 3 as a communication partner corresponds to the generalmodel or the specific model.

The control portion 4 may determine that the mobile phone 3 as acommunication partner corresponds to the general model. In this case, asillustrated in FIG. 3, the control portion 4 outputs an HFP connectionrequest to the BT module 5 (S101). The control portion 4 performs theHFP connection process that connects HFP between the BT module 5 and theBT module 25 (S2).

The control portion 4 is notified of HFP connection completion from theBT module 5 (S102) to determine that the HFP connection process iscomplete. The control portion 4 outputs an SPP connection request to theBT module 5 (S103). The control portion 4 performs an SPP connectionprocess that connects SPP between the BT module 5 and the BT module 25(S3). In this case, the general-model mobile phone 3 as a communicationpartner does not transmit an AVRCP connection request to the onboardapparatus 2 after completing the HFP connection process.

The control portion 4 is notified of SPP connection completion from theBT module 5 (S104) and determines that the SPP connection process iscomplete. The control portion 4 outputs an AVRCP and A2DP connectionrequest to the BT module 5 (S105). The control portion 4 performs anAVRCP connection process to connect AVRCP between the BT module 5 andthe BT module 25 (S4). The control portion 4 performs an A2DP connectionprocess to connect A2DP between the BT module 5 and the BT module 25(S5). In this case, the AVRCP connection process permits the BT module 5of the onboard apparatus 2 to start the A2DP connection process when theBT module 5 transmits an AVRCP connection request signal to the BTmodule 25. The A2DP connection process permits the BT module 25 of themobile phone 3 to start the A2DP connection process when the BT module25 transmits an A2DP connection request signal to the BT module 5.

The control portion 4 is notified of AVRCP and A2DP connectioncompletion from the BT module 5 (S106) and determines that the AVRCPconnection process and the A2DP connection process are complete. Thecontrol portion 4 reads types of audio data stored in the nonvolatilestorage portion 7 and determines the type of audio data (e.g., BT audio,Internet radio, FM radio, or AM radio) transferred from the mobile phone3 immediately before the apparatus power supply turns off (S10).

After performing the above-mentioned process, the control portion 4 maydetermine that the mobile phone as a communication partner correspondsto the general model. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 3, thecontrol portion 4 then connects the profiles in the order of HFP, SPP,AVRCP, and A2DP.

The control portion 4 may determine that the mobile phone 3 as acommunication partner corresponds to the specific model. In this case,as illustrated in FIG. 4, the control portion 4 outputs an HFPconnection request to the BT module 5 (S201) to perform the HFPconnection process that connects HFP between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 25 (S6).

The control portion 4 is notified of HFP connection completion from theBT module 5 (S202) to determine that the HFP connection process iscomplete. The control portion 4 then outputs an AVRCP and A2DPconnection request to the BT module 5 (S205) unlike the case ofdetermining that the mobile phone 3 as a communication partnercorresponds to the general model. The control portion 4 performs theAVRCP connection process to connect AVRCP between the BT module 5 andthe BT module 25 (S7). The control portion 4 performs the A2DPconnection process to connect A2DP between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 25 (S8).

Unlike the general-model mobile phone 3, the specific-model mobile phoneas a communication partner transmits an AVRCPP connection request to theonboard apparatus 2 after completion of the HFP connection process(S203). The control portion 4 may determine that the BT module 5receives an AVRCP connection request from the BT module 25. In such acase, the control portion 4 rejects (disallows) the AVRCP connectionrequest from the specific model mobile phone 3 as a communicationpartner and permits the BT module 5 to transmit AVRCP connectionrejection to the BT module 25 (S204). The control portion 4 also permitsthe BT module 5 to retransmit AVRCP connection rejection to the BTmodule 25 if determining that the BT module 5 re-receives an AVRCPconnection request from the BT module 25.

The control portion 4 is notified of AVRCP and A2DP connectioncompletion from the BT module 5 (S206) to determine that the AVRCPconnection process and the A2DP connection process are complete. Thecontrol portion 4 outputs an SPP connection request to the BT module 5(S207) to perform the SPP connection process that connects SPP betweenthe BT module 5 and the BT module 25 (S9).

The control portion 4 is notified of SPP connection completion from theBT module 5 to determine that the SPP connection process is complete.The control portion 4 reads the audio data type stored in thenonvolatile storage portion 7 to determine the type of audio datatransferred from the mobile phone 3 immediately before turning off theapparatus power supply (S10).

The control portion 4 performs the above-mentioned process to determinethat the mobile phone 3 as a communication partner corresponds to thespecific model. The control portion 4 connects the profiles in the orderof HFP, AVRCP, A2DP, and SPP as illustrated in FIG. 4.

That is, the control portion 4 connects the profiles in different ordersdepending on whether the mobile phone 3 as a communication partnercorresponds to the general model or the specific model. When determiningthat the mobile phone 3 as a communication partner corresponds to thegeneral model, the control portion 4 connects HFP, then SPP, AVRCP, andA2DP. When determining that the mobile phone 3 as a communicationpartner corresponds to the specific model, the control portion 4connects HFP, then AVRCP, A2DP, and SPP.

Suppose that the mobile phone 3 as a communication partner correspondsto the specific model. As illustrated in FIG. 4 according to the presentembodiment, the control portion 4 connects HFP, then AVRCP and A2DP. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the control portion 4 connects HFP, then SPP,AVRCP, and A2DP similarly to the case where the mobile phone 3 as acommunication partner corresponds to the general model. The former (seeT1 in FIG. 4) causes a relatively short time period after completion ofthe HFP connection process until transmission of an AVRCP connectionrequest. The latter (see T2 in FIG. 5) causes a relatively long timeperiod after completion of the HFP connection process until transmissionof an AVRCP connection request. That is, the control portion 4 connectsHFP and then AVRCP if determining that the mobile phone 3 as acommunication partner corresponds to the specific model. This shortens atime period after completion of the HFP connection process until thetime to start the AVRCP connection process.

The control portion 4 may determine that audio data read from thenonvolatile storage portion 7 corresponds to the BT audio type. That is,the control portion 4 may determine that audio data was stored in themobile phone 3 immediately before the most recent turn-off of theapparatus power supply and was transferred and output from the speakers18 a and 18 b. In such a case, the control portion 4 invalidates controldata according to SPP. The control portion 4 permits the BT module 5 totransmit an audio data output request command to the BT module 25according to AVRCP. The audio data output request command issues arequest to start outputting audio data. The control portion 4communicates control data between the BT module 5 and the BT module 25according to AVRCP. The control portion 4 permits the BT module 25 totransfer the audio data to the BT module 5 according to A2DP and permitsthe speakers 18 a and 18 b to output the audio data (S11). Invalidatingcontrol data according to SPP aims to invalidate control data transferin the software (e.g., not transmitting data or ignoring (or notrecognizing) data if received) while enabling the SPP connection, butnot to disconnect SPP connected between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 25.

The control portion 4 may determine that audio data read from thenonvolatile storage portion 7 corresponds to the Internet radio type.That is, the control portion 4 may determine that audio data was storedin the server 36 on the communication network 35 immediately before themost recent turn-off of the apparatus power supply and was output fromthe speakers 18 a and 18 b. In such a case, the control portion 4invalidates control data according to AVRCP. The control portion 4permits the BT module 5 to transmit an audio data output request commandto the BT module 25 according to SPP. The audio data output requestcommand issues a request to start outputting audio data. The controlportion 4 communicates control data between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 25 according to SPP. The control portion 4 permits the BT module25 to transfer the audio data to the BT module 5 according to A2DP andpermits the speakers 18 a and 18 b to output the audio data (S12).Invalidating control data according to AVRCP aims to invalidate controldata transfer in the software (e.g., not transmitting data or ignoring(or not recognizing) data if received) while enabling the AVRCPconnection, but not to disconnect AVRCP connected between the BT module5 and the BT module 25.

Audio data stored in the mobile phone 3 may be transferred and output.In this case, the control portion 4 communicates control data betweenthe BT module 5 and the BT module 25 according to AVRCP. The controlportion 4 permits the BT module 25 to transfer audio data to the BTmodule 5 according to A2DP and output the audio data from the speakers18 a and 18 b. On the other hand, audio data may be stored in the server36 on the communication network 35 and may be transferred while beingsuccessively buffered in the mobile phone 3. In this case, the controlportion 4 uses SPP instead of AVRCP and communicates control databetween the BT module 5 and the BT module 25 according to SPP. Thecontrol portion 4 permits the BT module 25 to transfer audio data to theBT module 5 according to A2DP and output the audio data from thespeakers 18 a and 18 b.

Any commands or data (payload) cannot communicate with the mobile phone3 if control data is communicated according to AVRCP in the same manneras transferring audio data for BT audio while audio data for Internetradio is transferred. Using SPP instead of AVRCP as a profile tocommunicate control data enables to communicate any commands or datawith the mobile phone 3. As a result, it is possible to provideversatile features such as manipulations of selecting or editingprograms at broadcast stations or acquiring image data concerning musicpieces.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, the control portion 4connects the profiles in different sequences depending on whether themobile phone 3 as a communication partner corresponds to the generalmodel or the specific model. However, the control portion 4 may not needto determine whether the mobile phone 3 as a communication partnercorresponds to the general model or specific model. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the control portion 4 may connect HFP, then AVRCP and A2DP, andSPP in this order. This enables to transfer audio data according to A2DPon the new mobile phone 3 that may comply with the specific model in thefuture.

The control portion 4 may not need to determine whether the mobile phone3 as a communication partner corresponds to the general model orspecific model. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control portion 4 mayconnect SPP, and then AVRCP and A2DP in this order. If SPP is connectedfirst, the control portion 4 can promptly notify the user of aninadvertent user manipulation that requires communication with variousservers on the communication network 35. That is, this can save the timeneeded for the SPP connection process.

The control portion 4 connects HFP and SPP, and then determines the typeof audio data transferred from the mobile phone 3 immediately beforeturning off the apparatus power supply (S10). The control portion 4 mayconnect A2DP if determining the Internet radio to be the type of audiodata transferred from the mobile phone 3 immediately before turning offthe apparatus power supply. The control portion 4 may connect AVRCP andA2DP if determining the BT audio to be the type of audio datatransferred from the mobile phone 3 immediately before turning off theapparatus power supply. In this case, the control portion 4 need notinvalidate control data according to AVRCP for the Internet radio thatdoes not require connection to AVRCP.

The control portion 4 connects HFP, and then determines the type ofaudio data transferred from the mobile phone 3 immediately beforeturning off the apparatus power supply (S10). The control portion 4 mayconnect SPP and A2DP if determining the Internet radio to be the type ofaudio data transferred from the mobile phone 3 immediately beforeturning off the apparatus power supply. The control portion 4 mayconnect AVRCP and A2DP if determining the BT audio to be the type ofaudio data transferred from the mobile phone 3 immediately beforeturning off the apparatus power supply. In this case, the controlportion 4 need not invalidate control data according to AVRCP for theInternet radio that does not require connection to AVRCP. The controlportion 4 need not invalidate control data according to SPP for the BTaudio that does not require connection to SPP.

The control portion 4 may default to perform the connection processes inthe order or HFP, SPP, AVRCP, and A2DP. The control portion 4 may permitan AVRCP connection request and preferentially perform the AVRCPconnection process when receiving the AVRCP connection request from themobile phone 3 as a communication partner. In this case, when completingthe AVRCP connection process, the control portion 4 consequentlyreceives an A2DP connection request from the specific-model mobile phone3. The control portion 4 may permit the A2DP connection request toperform the A2DP connection process. According to this configuration,the control portion 4 can complete the AVRCP process and the A2DPconnection process before or after completing the SPP connection processeven if the specific-model mobile phone 3 is used as a communicationpartner.

The control portion 4 may default to perform the connection processes inthe order or HFP, SPP, AVRCP, and A2DP. The control portion 4 may oncereject an AVRCP connection request when receiving the AVRCP connectionrequest from the mobile phone 3 as a communication partner. Triggered bythe rejection of the AVRCP connection request, the control portion 4 maytransmit the AVRCP connection request and preferentially perform theAVRCP connection process. Also in this case, the control portion 4completes the AVRCP connection process to receive an A2DP connectionrequest from the specific-model mobile phone 3. The control portion 4may permit the A2DP connection request to perform the A2DP connectionprocess. According to this configuration, the control portion 4 canrelatively shorten the time period after completion of the HFPconnection process until transmission of the AVRCP connection request asillustrated in FIG. 4 if the specific-model mobile phone 3 is used as acommunication partner.

Further, the onboard apparatus 2 may transmit an A2DP connection requestto the mobile phone 3 if no A2DP connection request is received from themobile phone 3 after the lapse of a specified period on completion ofthe AVRCP connection process. No A2DP connection request may be receivedfrom the mobile phone 3 though a “replay” instruction is issued to themobile phone 3. Also in this case, the onboard apparatus 2 may similarlytransmit an A2DP connection request to the mobile phone 3. Consequently,the onboard apparatus 2 transmits an A2DP connection request to themobile phone 3 to enable the A2DP connection.

The foregoing describes the case where the onboard apparatus 2 uses onecommunication partner and the BT communication is performed based onone-to-one correspondence between the onboard apparatus 2 and thecommunication partner apparatus as a source of audio data transfer. Withreference to FIGS. 6 through 9, the following describes a case where theonboard apparatus 2 uses multiple communication partners and the BTcommunication is performed based on one-to-many correspondence betweenthe onboard apparatus 2 and the communication partner apparatuses as asource of audio data transfer.

The onboard apparatus 2 can register multiple BT communication partners.The user can predetermine one onboard apparatus as a handsfree mobilephone and another as a music reproduction apparatus (portable apparatus)depending on purposes. Music reproduction on a portable apparatussignifies reproducing audio data stored in the nonvolatile storageportion of the communication partner apparatus. The following describesoperations when the apparatus power supply is turned on under thecondition that a mobile phone 3 a is configured as a portable apparatusand a mobile phone 3 b is configured as a data communication apparatusbetween a handsfree phone and the server 36.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control portion 4 in the onboard apparatus2 outputs an HFP connection request to the BT module 5 (S301). Thecontrol portion 4 performs the HFP connection process that connects HFPbetween the BT module 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 b(S21).

If the mobile phone 3 b as a communication partner corresponds to thespecific model, the control portion 4 transmits an AVRCP connectionrequest to the onboard apparatus 2 after completion of the HFPconnection process (S303). The control portion 4 determines that the BTmodule 5 receives an AVRCP connection request from the BT module 25 ofthe mobile phone 3 b. The control portion 4 then determines whether themobile phone 3 b is configured as a portable apparatus. The presentembodiment configures the communication partner (mobile phone 3 a)different from the mobile phone 3 b as a portable apparatus. Accordingto the determination result, the control portion 4 rejects the AVRCPconnection request from the mobile phone 3 b. The control portion 4permits the BT module 5 to transmit the AVRCP connection rejection tothe BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 b (S304). If the mobile phone 3 bis configured as a portable apparatus, the control portion 4 permits theAVRCP connection request from the mobile phone 3 b without rejection andperforms the AVRCP connection process.

The control portion 4 is notified of the HFP connection completion fromthe BT module 5 (S30) to determine the completion of the HFP connectionprocess. The control portion 4 then outputs an AVRCP and A2DP connectionrequest to the BT module 5 (S305). In this case, the mobile phone 3 a isconfigured as a portable apparatus. The control portion 4 performs theAVRCP connection process that connects AVRCP between the BT module 5 andthe BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 a (S22). The control portion 4performs the A2DP connection process that connects A2DP between the BTmodule 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 a (S23). The controlportion 4 is notified of the AVRCP and A2DP connection completion fromthe BT module (S306). The control portion 4 communicates control databetween the BT module 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 aaccording to AVRCP. The control portion 4 transfers audio data from theBT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 a to the BT module 5 according toA2DP and outputs the audio data from the speakers 18 a and 18 b.

The following describes operations when a user manipulation changesmusic reproduction on the portable apparatus to reproduction of audiodata stored in the server 36 on the communication network 35 like theInternet radio, for example.

The control portion 4 determines that a manipulation was performed tochange the source of audio data transfer from the mobile phone 3 a tothe server 36 on the communication network 35. The control portion 4then outputs an AVRCP and A2DP disconnection request to the BT module 5(S307). The control portion 4 performs an AVRCP disconnection processthat disconnects AVRCP connected between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 25 of the mobile phone 3 a (S24). The control portion 4 performsan A2DP disconnection process that disconnects A2DP connected betweenthe BT module 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 a (S25).

After that, the control portion 4 may connect SPP to the mobile phone 3b to complete the AVRCP connection. If a specified time period haselapsed from the HFP connection completion, the specific-model mobilephone 3 b does not transmit an A2DP connection request. The A2DP remainsunconnected. An instruction to reproduce audio data stored in the server36 on the communication network 35 outputs the audio data from thespeaker 32 of the mobile phone 3 b without the audio data beingtransferred according to A2DP.

The control portion 4 disconnects AVRCP and A2DP connected between theBT module 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 a. As illustratedin FIG. 7, the control portion 4 then outputs an HFP disconnectionrequest to the BT module 5 (S309). The control portion 4 performs an HFPdisconnection process that disconnects HFP connected between the BTmodule 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 b (S26).

The control portion 4 is notified of HFP disconnection completion fromthe BT module 5 (S310). The control portion 4 then outputs an HFPconnection request to the BT module 5 (S311). The control portion 4performs the HFP connection process that reconnects the disconnected HFPbetween the BT module 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 b(S27).

The control portion 4 is notified of HFP connection completion from theBT module 5 (S312). The control portion 4 outputs an AVRCP and A2DPconnection request to the BT module 5 (S313). The control portion 4performs the AVRCP connection process that connects AVRCP between the BTmodule 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 b (S28). The controlportion 4 performs the A2DP connection process that connects A2DPbetween the BT module 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 b(S29).

The control portion 4 is notified of the AVRCP and A2DP connectioncompletion from the BT module 5 (S314). The control portion 4 outputs anSPP connection request to the BT module 5 (S315). The control portion 4performs the SPP connection process that connects SPP between the BTmodule 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3 b (S30).

That is, the control portion 4 once disconnects the connected HFP,reconnects the disconnected HFP, connects AVRCP and A2DP, and connectsSPP. This relatively shortens the time period (see T3 in FIG. 7) fromcompletion of the HFP connection process to transmission of an AVRCPconnection request. In this state, the control portion 4 can communicatecontrol data between the BT module 5 and the BT module 25 of the mobilephone 3 b. The control portion 4 can transfer audio data stored in theserver 36 on the communication network 35 from the BT module 25 of themobile phone 3 b to the BT module 5 according to A2DP and output theaudio data from the speakers 18 a and 18 b. The control portion 4 mayonce disconnect the connected HFP and then reconnect it only when themobile phone 3 b is identified as the specific model or when no A2DPconnection request is received from the mobile phone 3 b after the AVRCPconnection completion.

The origin of audio data transfer may be changed while SPP as well asHFP is connected between the onboard apparatus 2 and the mobile phone 3b. In such a case, the control portion 4 once disconnects both HFP andSPP, reconnects HFP, connects AVRCP and A2DP, and reconnects SPP.

The foregoing describes the operations when a user manipulation changesmusic reproduction on the portable apparatus to reproduction of audiodata stored in the server 36 on the communication network 35 like theInternet radio, for example. The same applies to a case where theportable apparatus is changed to the mobile phone 3 b from the mobilephone 3 a and the reproduction of audio data stored in the mobile phone3 a is changed to the reproduction of audio data stored in the mobilephone 3 b. The control portion 4 performs the processes from S301 toS314 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The control portion 4 therebycommunicates control data between the BT module 5 and the BT module 25of the mobile phone 3 b according to AVRCP. The control portion 4 thentransfers audio data stored in the mobile phone 3 a from the BT module25 of the mobile phone 3 b to the BT module 5 according to A2DP andoutputs the audio data from the speakers 18 a and 18 b.

The control portion 4 can independently (separately) perform the AVRCPconnection process and the A2DP connection process. That is, the BTmodule 5 can transmit an A2DP connection request without awaiting anA2DP connection request from the BT module 25.

After performing S301 through S308 as illustrated in FIG. 6, the controlportion 4 may output an SPP connection request to the BT module 5 (S401)as illustrated in FIG. 8. The control portion 4 may perform the SPPconnection process that connects SPP between the BT module 5 and the BTmodule 25 of the mobile phone 3 b (S41). The control portion 4 may benotified of the SPP connection completion from the BT module 5 (S402).The control portion 4 may output an A2DP connection request to the BTmodule 5 (S403). The control portion 4 may perform the A2DP connectionprocess that connects A2DP between the BT module 5 and the BT module 25of the mobile phone 3 b (S42). In this case, the control portion 4permits the BT module 5 to start the A2DP connection process when the BTmodule 5 transmits an A2DP connection request signal to the BT module 25of the mobile phone 3 b. This eliminates the process that oncedisconnects HFP and reconnects it.

The following describes operations after completion of the A2DPconnection. Depending on specifications, the mobile phone 3 as acommunication partner continues to close the audio data communicationpath and does not open it even after completion of the A2DP connection.In consideration of this, the control portion 4 performs processesillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

After having completed the connection of SPP, A2DP, and AVRCP (S51through S53), the control portion 4 may determine that the user uses themanipulation unit 22 to issue a request to start reproducing theInternet radio, for example. In this case, the control portion 4 outputsa communication path open request to the BT module 5 and startsoperating a timer to clock the second setup time (T5).

The BT module 5 is supplied with the communication path open requestfrom the control portion 4 and starts operating a timer to clock thefirst setup time (T4). If the first setup time has elapsed, the controlportion 4 determines whether there is an open audio data communicationpath (to establish a communication channel) connected to the BT module25 (S54). The first setup time or the second setup time may beconfigured according to specifications of the mobile phone 3corresponding to multiple models. For example, the configuration may usethe mobile phone 3 that autonomously opens the audio data communicationpath after completion of the connection to A2DP. For each of the models,the time is recorded from completion of the connection to A2DP untilopening of the audio data communication path. The first setup time maybe defined as the time (e.g., six seconds) longer than the largest valueamong the recorded times. The second setup time may be defined as thetime (e.g., eight seconds) longer than the first setup time inconsideration of the processing time to open the audio datacommunication path.

The BT module 5 determines that the audio data communication path isclosed and is not opened (NO at S54). As illustrated in FIG. 9, the BTmodule 5 transmits a communication path open request to the BT module 25of the mobile phone 3 and awaits a replay command from the controlportion 4. The BT module 25 receives the communication path open requestfrom the BT module 5 and opens the audio data communication path. On theother hand, the BT module 5 determines that the mobile phone 3autonomously operates to open the closed audio data communication pathand keep the audio data communication path open (YES at S54). Asillustrated in FIG. 10, the BT module 5 awaits a replay command from thecontrol portion 4 without transmitting the communication path openrequest to the BT module 25 of the mobile phone 3.

The control portion 4 detects that the second setup time has elapsedafter the timer to clock the second setup time started. The controlportion 4 then outputs the replay command to the BT module 5. The BTmodule 5 is supplied with the replay command from the control portion 4and transmits the supplied replay command to the BT module 25. The BTmodule 25 receives the replay command from the BT module 5 and transmitsa success command to the BT module 5 to indicate that the replay commandis permitted. The BT module 25 buffers Internet radio audio datareceived from the server 36 on the communication network 35 (S55) andconcurrently transmits the buffered audio data to the BT module 5. TheBT module 5 receives the success command from the BT module 25 andoutputs the received success command to the control portion 4. The BTmodule 5 receives the audio data from the BT module 25 and outputs thereceived audio data to the control portion 4. The control portion 4permits the speakers 18 a and 18 b to output the audio data receivedfrom the mobile phone 3.

The mobile phone 3 as a communication partner may be specified to keepthe audio data communication path closed and not to open it aftercompletion the A2DP connection. The audio data communication pathremains closed even if the onboard apparatus 2 thereafter transmits areplay command to the mobile phone 3. As illustrated in FIG. 11, theaudio data is output from the speaker 32 of the mobile phone 3 and isnot transferred from the mobile phone 3.

The present embodiment solves such a defect even if the mobile phone 3as a communication partner may be specified to keep the audio datacommunication path closed without opening it after completion the A2DPconnection. The onboard apparatus 2 transmits a communication path openrequest before transmitting the replay command to the mobile phone 3.This enables to open the audio data communication path when the onboardapparatus 2 thereafter transmits the replay command to the mobile phone3. As a result, the mobile phone 3 transfers audio data and the audiodata is output from the speakers 18 a and 18 b of the onboard apparatus2. The foregoing describes the case of outputting Internet radio audiodata received on the mobile phone 3 from the server 36 on thecommunication network 35. The same applies to a case of outputting audiodata (music data registered to the mobile phone 3) stored in thenonvolatile storage portion 28 of the mobile phone 3.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the control portion 4outputs a communication path open request to the BT module 5 and startsoperating the timer to clock the second setup time. However, the controlportion 4 may not start operating the timer to clock the second setuptime. That is, the control portion 4 outputs the communication path openrequest to the BT module 5 and then determines whether the communicationpath is open. The control portion 4 may output the replay command to theBT module 5 if the communication path is determined to be open. In thiscase, the timing for the control portion 4 to output the replay commandto the BT module 5 depends on a time period consumed to determine thatthe communication path is open.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, the onboardapparatus 2 transfers and outputs audio data stored in the mobile phone3. In this case, the onboard apparatus 2 uses AVRCP to communicatecontrol data and uses A2DP to transfer and output the audio data. On theother hand, the onboard apparatus 2 permits the mobile phone 3 tosuccessively buffer, transfer, and output audio data stored in theserver 36 on the communication network 35. In this case, the onboardapparatus 2 replaces AVRCP with SPP, uses SPP to communicate controldata, and uses A2DP to transfer audio data. This enables to communicateany commands and data (payload) regardless of commands specified inAVRCP and transfer and output audio data using A2DP. Accordingly,various functions for the Internet radio are available.

A specified time period may be exceeded from completion of the HFPconnection process to transmission of an AVRCP connection request. Insuch a case, the specific-model mobile phone 3 as a communicationpartner may not transfer audio data because A2DP remains unconnectedeven after completion of the AVRCP connection process. To solve thisdefect, the profiles are sequentially connected in the order of HFP,AVRCP, A2DP, and SPP. This can shorten the time period from completionof the HFP connection process to completion of the AVRCP connectionprocess and the A2DP connection process. Even the specific-model mobilephone 3 is available as a communication partner.

Audio data stored in the mobile phone 3 may be transferred and outputwhile HFP, AVRCP, A2DP, and SPP are connected to the mobile phone 3. Inthis case, control data according to SPP is invalidated while the SPPconnection remains active. On the other hand, audio data stored in theserver 36 on the communication network 35 may be transferred and output.In this case, control data according to AVRCP is invalidated while theAVRCP connection remains active. This enables to minimize a period thatinterrupts audio data output when the mode to output audio data ischanged. The mode to output audio data can be changed seamlessly.

The music reproduction on the mobile phone 3 a may be changed to thereproduction of Internet radio from the server 36 on the communicationnetwork 35 while HFP is connected to the mobile phone 3 b and AVRCP andA2DP are connected to the mobile phone 3 a. In this case, the presentembodiment disconnects the connected AVRCP and A2DP from the mobilephone 3 a. The present embodiment once disconnects the connected HFPfrom the mobile phone 3 b, reconnects HFP to the mobile phone 3 b, andconnects AVRCP, A2DP, and SPP in order to the mobile phone 3 b. Thisenables to appropriately change the music reproduction on the mobilephone 3 a to the reproduction of Internet radio from the server 36 onthe communication network 35.

The music reproduction on the mobile phone 3 a may be changed to themusic reproduction on the mobile phone 3 b while HFP is connected to themobile phone 3 b and AVRCP and A2DP are connected to the mobile phone 3a. In this case, the present embodiment disconnects the connected AVRCPand A2DP from the mobile phone 3 a. The present embodiment oncedisconnects the connected HFP from the mobile phone 3 b, reconnects HFPto the mobile phone 3 b, and connects AVRCP and A2DP to the mobile phone3 b. This enables to appropriately change the music reproduction on themobile phone 3 a to the music reproduction on the mobile phone 3 b. Ifthe HFP connection remains active, the music reproduction can be changedwhile enabling handsfree conversation if performed on the mobile phone 3b.

Depending on specifications, the mobile phone 3 as a communicationpartner may not open and keep the audio data communication path closedeven after completion of the A2DP connection. To solve this defect, thepresent embodiment transmits a request to open the audio datacommunication path to the mobile phone 3 before transmitting the replaycommand to the mobile phone 3. This can prevent the defect that audiodata cannot be transferred from the mobile phone 3 and is output fromthe speaker 32 of the mobile phone 3. Audio data can be transferred fromthe mobile phone 3 and can be output from the speakers 18 a and 18 b ofthe onboard apparatus.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodimentbut may be modified or enhanced as follows.

A short-range wireless communication apparatus is not limited to theonboard apparatus 2. The short-range wireless communication apparatusmay include a BT module whose function corresponds to that of the BTmodule 5. The short-range wireless communication apparatus may beavailable as a navigation apparatus having known navigation functions ormay not be mounted on vehicles. A communication partner apparatus as adata communication partner of the short-range wireless communicationapparatus is not limited to the mobile phone 3. The communicationpartner apparatus may include a BT module whose function corresponds tothat of the BT module 25. The communication partner apparatus may beavailable as a portable information terminal or as a stationary terminalusers cannot carry.

A profile (specific communication protocol) that transfers control databy replacing AVRCP may be other than SPP.

While the aspect of the present disclosure described herein is alreadyrecited in “Summary of Invention”, further optional aspects thereto areset out as follows.

For instance, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, whendetermining that the first mode is selected in a state where the controlportion keeps the audio data transfer protocol, the control datatransfer protocol, and the specific data communication protocolconnected to the communication partner apparatus, the control portioncommunicates the first control data with the communication partnerapparatus according to the control data transfer protocol and permitsthe communication partner apparatus to transfer the first audio dataaccording to the audio data transfer protocol. In contrast, whendetermining that the second mode is selected in the state where thecontrol portion keeps the audio data transfer protocol, the control datatransfer protocol, and the specific data communication protocolconnected to the communication partner apparatus, the control portioncommunicates the second control data with the communication partnerapparatus according to the specific data communication protocol andpermits the communication partner apparatus to transfer the second audiodata according to the audio data transfer protocol.

This does not need to disconnect or connect the control data transferprotocol or the specific data communication protocol when the first modeis changed to the second mode or when the second mode is changed to thefirst mode. This enables to minimize a period that interrupts audio dataoutput. It is possible to seamlessly change the first mode to the secondmode, or the second mode to the first mode.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, whendetermining that the first mode is selected in a state where the controlportion keeps the audio data transfer protocol, the control datatransfer protocol, and the specific data communication protocolconnected to the communication partner apparatus, the control portioninvalidates the second control data according to the specific datacommunication protocol while keeping the specific data communicationprotocol connected, communicates the first control data with thecommunication partner apparatus according to the control data transferprotocol, and permits the communication partner apparatus to transferthe first audio data according to the audio data transfer protocol.

This permits changing the first mode to the second mode to just requirevalidating second control data according to the invalidated specificdata communication protocol because the specific data communicationprotocol is already connected. This enables to minimize a period thatinterrupts audio data output when the first mode changes to the secondmode. The first mode can be seamlessly changed to the second mode.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, whendetermining that the second mode is selected in a state where thecontrol portion keeps the audio data transfer protocol, the control datatransfer protocol, and the specific data communication protocolconnected to the communication partner apparatus, the control portioninvalidates the first control data according to the control datatransfer protocol while keeping the control data transfer protocolconnected, communicates the second control data with the communicationpartner apparatus according to the specific data communication protocol,and permits the communication partner apparatus to transfer the secondaudio data according to the audio data transfer protocol.

This permits changing the second mode to the first mode to just requirevalidating first control data according to the invalidated control datatransfer protocol because the control data transfer protocol is alreadyconnected. This enables to minimize a period that interrupts audio dataoutput when the second mode changes to the first mode. The second modecan be seamlessly changed to the first mode.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, the connectionportion is also capable of connecting a handsfree communication protocolto specify handsfree communication with the communication partnerapparatus. The control portion connects the handsfree communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus, then connects thespecific data communication protocol to the communication partnerapparatus, and then connects the control data transfer protocol and theaudio data transfer protocol to the communication partner apparatus.

This enables to fast connect the specific data communication protocolafter connecting the handsfree communication protocol and fast providefunctions according to the specific data communication protocol.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, the connectionportion is also capable of connecting a handsfree communication protocolto specify handsfree communication with the communication partnerapparatus. The control portion connects the handsfree communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus, then connects thecontrol data transfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol tothe communication partner apparatus, and then connects the specific datacommunication protocol to the communication partner apparatus.

A specified time period may be exceeded from completion of a connectionprocess according to the handsfree communication protocol totransmission of a connection request according to the control datatransfer protocol. In such a case, some models of the communicationpartner apparatus, due to its specifications, may not transfer audiodata according to the audio data transfer protocol even if theconnection process according to the control data transfer protocol iscomplete. To solve this defect, the handsfree communication protocol maybe connected, then the control data transfer protocol and the audio datatransfer protocol may be connected. The specific data communicationprotocol may be connected later. This can prevent excess in thespecified time period from completion of a connection process accordingto the handsfree communication protocol to transmission of a connectionrequest according to the control data transfer protocol. This is alsoapplicable to the communication partner apparatus according to theabove-mentioned specifications.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, the connectionportion is also capable of connecting a handsfree communication protocolto specify handsfree communication with the communication partnerapparatus. After the control portion connects the handsfreecommunication protocol to the communication partner apparatus, thecontrol portion connects the control data transfer protocol and theaudio data transfer protocol to the communication partner apparatus, andthen connects the specific data communication protocol to thecommunication partner apparatus when the communication partner apparatuscorresponds to a specific model. In contrast, after the control portionconnects the handsfree communication protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus, the control portion connects the specific datacommunication protocol to the communication partner apparatus, and thenconnects the control data transfer protocol and the audio data transferprotocol to the communication partner apparatus when the communicationpartner apparatus does not correspond to a specific model.

Two options are available after connection of the handsfreecommunication protocol depending on whether the communication partnerapparatus corresponds to the specific model. One option is to firstconnect the control data transfer protocol and the audio data transferprotocol and then connect the specific data communication protocollater. The other option is to first connect the specific datacommunication protocol and then connect the control data transferprotocol and the audio data transfer protocol later.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, when receivingand rejecting a connection request for the control data transferprotocol from the communication partner apparatus after connecting thehandsfree communication protocol to the communication partner apparatus,the control portion requests the communication partner apparatus toconnect the control data transfer protocol to preferentially connect thecontrol data transfer protocol.

Requesting the communication partner apparatus to connect the controldata transfer protocol enables connection to the control data transferprotocol even if a connection request for the control data transferprotocol is received from the communication partner apparatus and isrejected.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, when receivinga connection request, if any, for the control data transfer protocolfrom the communication partner apparatus after connecting the handsfreecommunication protocol to the communication partner apparatus, thecontrol portion permits a connection request for the control datatransfer protocol from the communication partner apparatus in order topreferentially connect the control data transfer protocol.

Permitting a connection request for the control data transfer protocolfrom the communication partner apparatus enables connection to thecontrol data transfer protocol.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, the connectionportion is also capable of connecting a handsfree communication protocolto specify handsfree communication with the communication partnerapparatus. After connecting the handsfree communication protocol and thespecific data communication protocol to the communication partnerapparatus, the control portion then connects the control data transferprotocol and the audio data transfer protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus when determining that the first mode is selected.After connecting the handsfree communication protocol and the specificdata communication protocol to the communication partner apparatus, thecontrol portion then connects the audio data transfer protocol to thecommunication partner apparatus when determining that the second mode isselected.

Two options are available after connecting the handsfree communicationprotocol and the specific data communication protocol depending onwhether the first mode or the second mode is selected. One option is toconnect the control data transfer protocol and the audio data transferprotocol. The other option is to connect the audio data transferprotocol.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, the connectionportion is also capable of connecting a handsfree communication protocolto specify handsfree communication with the communication partnerapparatus. After connecting the handsfree communication protocol to thecommunication partner apparatus, the control portion then connects thecontrol data transfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol tothe communication partner apparatus when determining that the first modeis selected. In contrast, after connecting the handsfree communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus, the control portionthen connects the audio data transfer protocol and the specific datacommunication protocol to the communication partner apparatus whendetermining that the second mode is selected.

Two options are available after connecting the handsfree communicationprotocol depending on whether the first mode or the second mode isselected. One option is to connect the control data transfer protocoland the audio data transfer protocol. The other option is to connect theaudio data transfer protocol and the specific data communicationprotocol.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, a storageportion is included to be capable of storing a pre-power-off mode thatindicates selection of either the first mode or the second mode beforeturning off the short-range wireless communication apparatus. When theshort-range wireless communication apparatus is turned on, the controlportion determines that the first mode is selected if the pre-power-offmode stored in the storage portion indicates the first mode, anddetermines that the second mode is selected if the pre-power-off modestored in the storage portion indicates the second mode.

This enables the mode after turning on the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus to correspond to the mode before turning off theshort-range wireless communication apparatus. The first mode is enabledafter turning off the short-range wireless communication apparatus ifthe first mode is enabled before turning off the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus. First audio data can be transferred from thecommunication partner apparatus according to the audio data transferprotocol. The second mode is enabled after turning off the short-rangewireless communication apparatus if the second mode is enabled beforeturning off the short-range wireless communication apparatus. Secondaudio data can be transferred from the communication partner apparatusaccording to the audio data transfer protocol.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, a state takesplace where the control portion connects the handsfree communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus and connects the controldata transfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol to an othercommunication partner apparatus. When determining, under the state thatis taking place, to change an audio data transfer origin from the othercommunication partner apparatus to the communication partner apparatus,the control portion disconnects the control data transfer protocol andthe audio data transfer protocol connected to the other communicationpartner apparatus while disconnecting the handsfree communicationprotocol connected to the communication partner apparatus, thenreconnects the disconnected handsfree communication protocol to thecommunication partner apparatus, then connects the control data transferprotocol and the audio data transfer protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus, and then connects the specific data communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus.

One mode is assumed to permit another communication partner apparatus totransfer and output first audio data stored in a nonvolatile storageportion of the same communication partner apparatus. The other mode isassumed to permit the communication partner apparatus to transfer andoutput second audio data stored in a nonvolatile storage portion on thecommunication network. The former mode can be changed to the lattermode.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, a state takesplace where the control portion connects the handsfree communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus and connects the controldata transfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol to an othercommunication partner apparatus. When determining, under the state thatis taking place, to change an audio data transfer origin from the othercommunication partner apparatus to the communication partner apparatusin the state, the control portion disconnects the control data transferprotocol and the audio data transfer protocol connected to the othercommunication partner apparatus, transmits a connection request for theaudio data transfer protocol to the communication partner apparatus toconnect the audio data transfer protocol to the communication partnerapparatus, and further connects the specific data communication protocolto the communication partner apparatus.

One mode is assumed to permit another communication partner apparatus totransfer and output first audio data stored in a nonvolatile storageportion of the same communication partner apparatus. The other mode isassumed to permit the communication partner apparatus to transfer andoutput second audio data stored in a nonvolatile storage portion on thecommunication network. The former mode can be changed to the lattermode. In this case, the mode can be changed without disconnecting thehandsfree communication protocol connected to the communication partnerapparatus. The mode can be changed while enabling handsfree conversationif performed on the communication partner apparatus.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, a state takesplace where the control portion connects the handsfree communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus and connects the controldata transfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol to an othercommunication partner apparatus. When determining, under the state thatis taking place, to change an audio data transfer origin from the othercommunication partner apparatus to the communication partner apparatus,the control portion disconnects the control data transfer protocol andthe audio data transfer protocol connected to the other communicationpartner apparatus, disconnects the handsfree communication protocolconnected to the communication partner apparatus, reconnects thedisconnected handsfree communication protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus, and connects the control data transfer protocol andthe audio data transfer protocol to the communication partner apparatus.

One mode is assumed to permit another communication partner apparatus totransfer and output first audio data stored in a nonvolatile storageportion of the same communication partner apparatus. The other mode isassumed to permit the communication partner apparatus to transfer andoutput first audio data stored in a nonvolatile storage portion of thecommunication partner apparatus. The former mode can be changed to thelatter mode.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, a state takesplace where the control portion connects the handsfree communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus and connects the controldata transfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol to an othercommunication partner apparatus. When determining, under the state thatis taking place, to change an audio data transfer origin from the othercommunication partner apparatus to the communication partner apparatus,the control portion disconnects the control data transfer protocol andthe audio data transfer protocol connected to the other communicationpartner apparatus, connects the control data transfer protocol to thecommunication partner apparatus, and transmits a connection request forthe audio data transfer protocol to the communication partner apparatusto connect the audio data transfer protocol to the communication partnerapparatus.

One mode is assumed to permit another communication partner apparatus totransfer and output first audio data stored in a nonvolatile storageportion of the same communication partner apparatus. The other mode isassumed to permit the communication partner apparatus to transfer andoutput first audio data stored in a nonvolatile storage portion of thecommunication partner apparatus. The former mode can be changed to thelatter mode. In this case, the mode can be changed without disconnectingthe handsfree communication protocol connected to the communicationpartner apparatus. The mode can be changed while enabling handsfreeconversation if performed on the communication partner apparatus.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, a state takesplace where the control portion connects the control data transferprotocol and the audio data transfer protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus. When determining, under the state that is takingplace, issuance of a transfer request for the first audio data from thecommunication partner apparatus to the audio data transfer protocol, thecontrol portion permits the connection portion to transmit an openrequest for an audio data communication path to the communicationpartner apparatus after a lapse of a first setup time from the issuanceof the transfer request and permits the connection portion to transmit areplay command to the communication partner apparatus after a lapse of asecond setup time, which is longer than the first setup time, from theissuance of the transfer request.

Depending on specifications, the communication partner apparatus may notopen and keep the audio data communication path closed. In such a case,the communication partner apparatus cannot transfer first audio dataeven if a replay command is transmitted to the communication partnerapparatus. This is because the communication partner apparatus does notopen the communication path. As a result, the communication partnerapparatus may output the first audio data. To solve this defect, arequest to open the audio data communication path is transmitted to thecommunication partner apparatus before the replay command is transmittedto the communication partner apparatus. This enables to open the audiodata communication path when the replay command is transmitted to thecommunication partner apparatus. As a result, the communication partnerapparatus can transfer the first audio data. The first audio datatransferred from the communication partner apparatus can be output.

Further, as an optional aspect of the present disclosure, a state takesplace where the control portion connects the specific data communicationprotocol and the audio data transfer protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus. When determining, under the state that is takingplace, issuance of a transfer request for the second audio data from thecommunication partner apparatus to the audio data transfer protocol inthe state, the control portion permits the connection portion totransmit an open request for an audio data communication path to thecommunication partner apparatus after a lapse of a first setup time fromthe issuance of the transfer request and permits the connection portionto transmit a replay command to the communication partner apparatusafter a lapse of a second setup time, which is longer than the firstsetup time, from the issuance of the transfer request.

Similarly, a request to open the audio data communication path may betransmitted to the communication partner apparatus before the replaycommand is transmitted to the communication partner apparatus. Thisenables to open the audio data communication path when the replaycommand is transmitted to the communication partner apparatus. As aresult, the communication partner apparatus can transfer the secondaudio data. The second audio data transferred from the communicationpartner apparatus can be output.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference toembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the present disclosureis not limited to the embodiments and constructions. The presentdisclosure is intended to cover various modification and equivalentarrangements. In addition, while the various combinations andconfigurations, other combinations and configurations, including more,less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

1. A short-range wireless communication apparatus comprising: aconnection portion capable of connecting an audio data transferprotocol, a control data transfer protocol, and a specific datacommunication protocol to a communication partner apparatus via ashort-range wireless link, wherein the audio data transfer protocolspecifies transfer of audio data, the control data transfer protocolspecifies transfer of control data concerning audio data control, andthe specific data communication protocol specifies data communication; acontrol portion to select either a first mode or a second mode, whereinthe first mode permits the communication partner apparatus to transferfirst audio data stored in a nonvolatile storage portion of thecommunication partner apparatus and the second mode permits thecommunication partner apparatus to transfer second audio data stored ina nonvolatile storage portion of a server on a communication network;and an audio data output portion to output audio data transferred fromthe communication partner apparatus according to the audio data transferprotocol, wherein, when determining that the first mode is selected, ina state where the control portion keeps the control data transferprotocol and the audio data transfer protocol connected to thecommunication partner apparatus, the control portion communicates firstcontrol data concerning control of the first audio data with thecommunication partner apparatus according to the control data transferprotocol, and permits the communication partner apparatus to transferthe first audio data according to the audio data transfer protocol;wherein, when determining that the second mode is selected, in a statewhere the control portion keeps the audio data transfer protocol and thespecific data communication protocol connected to the communicationpartner apparatus, the control portion communicates second control dataconcerning control of the second audio data with the communicationpartner apparatus according to the specific data communication protocol,and permits the communication partner apparatus to transfer the secondaudio data according to the audio data transfer protocol; wherein astate takes place where the control portion connects the control datatransfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol to an othercommunication partner apparatus; and wherein, when determining, underthe state that is taking place, to change an audio data transfer originfrom the other communication partner apparatus to the communicationpartner apparatus, the control portion disconnects the audio datatransfer protocol connected to the other communication partnerapparatus, and connects the specific data communication protocol and theaudio data transfer protocol to the communication partner apparatus. 2.The short-range wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1,wherein, when determining that the first mode is selected in a statewhere the control portion keeps the audio data transfer protocol, thecontrol data transfer protocol, and the specific data communicationprotocol connected to the communication partner apparatus, the controlportion communicates the first control data with the communicationpartner apparatus according to the control data transfer protocol andpermits the communication partner apparatus to transfer the first audiodata according to the audio data transfer protocol; and wherein, whendetermining that the second mode is selected in the state where thecontrol portion keeps the audio data transfer protocol, the control datatransfer protocol, and the specific data communication protocolconnected to the communication partner apparatus, the control portioncommunicates the second control data with the communication partnerapparatus according to the specific data communication protocol andpermits the communication partner apparatus to transfer the second audiodata according to the audio data transfer protocol.
 3. The short-rangewireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, whendetermining that the first mode is selected in a state where the controlportion keeps the audio data transfer protocol, the control datatransfer protocol, and the specific data communication protocolconnected to the communication partner apparatus, the control portioninvalidates the second control data according to the specific datacommunication protocol while keeping the specific data communicationprotocol connected, communicates the first control data with thecommunication partner apparatus according to the control data transferprotocol, and permits the communication partner apparatus to transferthe first audio data according to the audio data transfer protocol. 4.The short-range wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1,wherein, when determining that the second mode is selected in a statewhere the control portion keeps the audio data transfer protocol, thecontrol data transfer protocol, and the specific data communicationprotocol connected to the communication partner apparatus, the controlportion invalidates the first control data according to the control datatransfer protocol while keeping the control data transfer protocolconnected, communicates the second control data with the communicationpartner apparatus according to the specific data communication protocol,and permits the communication partner apparatus to transfer the secondaudio data according to the audio data transfer protocol.
 5. Theshort-range wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the connection portion is also capable of connecting a handsfreecommunication protocol to specify handsfree communication with thecommunication partner apparatus; and wherein the control portionconnects the handsfree communication protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus, then connects the specific data communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus, and then connects thecontrol data transfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol tothe communication partner apparatus.
 6. The short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connectionportion is also capable of connecting a handsfree communication protocolto specify handsfree communication with the communication partnerapparatus; and wherein the control portion connects the handsfreecommunication protocol to the communication partner apparatus, thenconnects the control data transfer protocol and the audio data transferprotocol to the communication partner apparatus, and then connects thespecific data communication protocol to the communication partnerapparatus.
 7. The short-range wireless communication apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the connection portion is also capable of connectinga handsfree communication protocol to specify handsfree communicationwith the communication partner apparatus; wherein after the controlportion connects the handsfree communication protocol to thecommunication partner apparatus, the control portion connects thecontrol data transfer protocol and the audio data transfer protocol tothe communication partner apparatus, and then connects the specific datacommunication protocol to the communication partner apparatus when thecommunication partner apparatus corresponds to a specific model; andwherein after the control portion connects the handsfree communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus, the control portionconnects the specific data communication protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus, and then connects the control data transfer protocoland the audio data transfer protocol to the communication partnerapparatus when the communication partner apparatus does not correspondto a specific model.
 8. The short-range wireless communication apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein when receiving and rejecting a connectionrequest for the control data transfer protocol from the communicationpartner apparatus after connecting the handsfree communication protocolto the communication partner apparatus, the control portion requests thecommunication partner apparatus to connect the control data transferprotocol to preferentially connect the control data transfer protocol.9. The short-range wireless communication apparatus according to claim5, wherein when receiving a connection request, if any, for the controldata transfer protocol from the communication partner apparatus afterconnecting the handsfree communication protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus, the control portion permits a connection request forthe control data transfer protocol from the communication partnerapparatus in order to preferentially connect the control data transferprotocol.
 10. The short-range wireless communication apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the connection portion is also capable of connectinga handsfree communication protocol to specify handsfree communicationwith the communication partner apparatus; wherein after connecting thehandsfree communication protocol and the specific data communicationprotocol to the communication partner apparatus, the control portionthen connects the control data transfer protocol and the audio datatransfer protocol to the communication partner apparatus whendetermining that the first mode is selected; and wherein afterconnecting the handsfree communication protocol and the specific datacommunication protocol to the communication partner apparatus, thecontrol portion then connects the audio data transfer protocol to thecommunication partner apparatus when determining that the second mode isselected.
 11. The short-range wireless communication apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the connection portion is also capable of connectinga handsfree communication protocol to specify handsfree communicationwith the communication partner apparatus; wherein after connecting thehandsfree communication protocol to the communication partner apparatus,the control portion then connects the control data transfer protocol andthe audio data transfer protocol to the communication partner apparatuswhen determining that the first mode is selected; and wherein afterconnecting the handsfree communication protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus, the control portion then connects the audio datatransfer protocol and the specific data communication protocol to thecommunication partner apparatus when determining that the second mode isselected.
 12. The short-range wireless communication apparatus accordingto claim 1, comprising: a storage portion capable of storing apre-power-off mode that indicates selection of either the first mode orthe second mode before turning off the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus, wherein, when the short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus is turned on, the control portion determinesthat the first mode is selected if the pre-power-off mode stored in thestorage portion indicates the first mode, and determines that the secondmode is selected if the pre-power-off mode stored in the storage portionindicates the second mode.
 13. The short-range wireless communicationapparatus according claim 1, wherein a state takes place where thecontrol portion connects the control data transfer protocol and theaudio data transfer protocol to the communication partner apparatus; andwherein, when determining, under the state that is taking place,issuance of a transfer request for the first audio data from thecommunication partner apparatus to the audio data transfer protocol, thecontrol portion permits the connection portion to transmit an openrequest for an audio data communication path to the communicationpartner apparatus after a lapse of a first setup time from the issuanceof the transfer request and permits the connection portion to transmit areplay command to the communication partner apparatus after a lapse of asecond setup time, which is longer than the first setup time, from theissuance of the transfer request.
 14. The short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus according claim 1, wherein a state takes placewhere the control portion connects the specific data communicationprotocol and the audio data transfer protocol to the communicationpartner apparatus; and wherein, when determining, under the state thatis taking place, issuance of a transfer request for the second audiodata from the communication partner apparatus to the audio data transferprotocol, the control portion permits the connection portion to transmitan open request for an audio data communication path to thecommunication partner apparatus after a lapse of a first setup time fromthe issuance of the transfer request and permits the connection portionto transmit a replay command to the communication partner apparatusafter a lapse of a second setup time, which is longer than the firstsetup time, from the issuance of the transfer request.
 15. Theshort-range wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the short-range wireless link corresponds to a Bluetooth link;and wherein the connection portion is capable of connecting the audiodata transfer protocol, the control data transfer protocol, and thespecific data communication protocol to the communication partnerapparatus through the Bluetooth link.
 16. The short-range wirelesscommunication apparatus according claim 15, wherein the audio datatransfer protocol corresponds to A2DP (Advanced Audio DistributionProfile); wherein the control data transfer protocol corresponds toAVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile); wherein the specific datacommunication protocol corresponds to SPP (Serial Port Profile); andwherein the connection portion is capable of connecting the A2DP, theAVRCP, and the SPP to the communication partner apparatus through theBluetooth link.
 17. The short-range wireless communication apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the control portion permits thecommunication partner apparatus to transfer audio data for Internetradio as the second audio data.